Catania went into tonight's Serie A clash with Pescara as heavy favourites after a run of six league matches unbeaten.
Rolando Maran's side pressed from the outset but were frustrated by a spirited Pescara rearguard determined to end a run of 17 games without a victory.
Eventually the Delfini's brave resistance was broken on 53 minutes as Alejandro Gomez finished a sweeping Catania counter from close range.
Look back at a win that takes the Sicilians above Inter Milan to eighth place in Serie A with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Good evening Calcio fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole as the penultimate round of Serie A continues with a chance to watch crowd-pleasing Catania take on Pescara at the Stadio Angelo Massimino.
Catania have been a breath of fresh air this season, with Maran building a strong side capable of holding their own against any opposition. Attacking football is also at the core of their style and has helped them build a proud home record throughout the campaign.
Pescara on the other hand have endured a dismal campaign, with their return to Serie A blighted by torrid form throughout. The Delfini are without a win in 17 matches and will be desperate to give their long-suffering away support something to cheer this evening.
The visitors are also fighting for manager Cristian Bucchi's future at the Adriatico. The coach arrived in March charged with turning Pescara's fortunes around but has been unable to get a response from his struggling, inexperienced squad. With many calling for the return of Zdenek Zeman the boss will be desperate for signs of life before the campaign concludes.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! It's a case of good and bad news for Catania as the starting lineup's emerge for tonight's match. First the positive and forward Alejandro Gomez has shrugged off a fitness concern to start in attack. Lucas Castro was also a major doubt but does not feature tonight. A full look at both sides will follow in just a few moments.
CATANIA: Frison, Izco, Legrottaglie, Spolli, Marchese, Biaganti, Lodi, Almiron, Barrientos, Bergessio, Gomez
PESCARA: Perin, Zanon, Cosic, Capuano, Balzano, Blasi, Togni, Di Francesco, Bjarnason, Bocchetti, Sforzini
The home side will stick with their trademark 4-3-3 formation tonight as Gomez takes his place in a wide, advanced position. Argentine striker Gonzalo Bergessio will lead the line and is bang in form after scoring four goals in his last three matches.
Bergessio's clinical touch in front of goal has attracted a string of admirers across Europe this season. The 28-year-old gets another chance to impress this evening as Gomez, Francesco Lodi and countrymen Pablo Barrientos provide support in the final third.
Pescara have dropped experienced forward Guiseppe Sculli this evening, with young defender Antonio Bocchetti among those drafted in to prove their worth tonight. Birkir Bjarnason also gets a rate start in midfield this evening, with Ferdinando Sforzini leading the line in attack.
PREDICTION! With Catania unbeaten in six and Pescara winless in 17 my prediction for a home win is hardly likely to astound anyone. Maran's men are largely consistent at home and I fully expect Bergessio to net in a 2-0 home victory.
Both sides are out at the Stadio Angelo Massimino and we are just about ready to get underway. A reminder that Catania will climb above Inter Milan to eighth place with a positive result this evening, which would represent quite an achievement for the Sicilians.
Catania get the match underway shooting from left to right and immediately attack down the flank as Gomez looks to create space. Pescara are defending deep in a changed yellow strip as they eventually clear their lines to break as Bocchetti unsuccessfully chases down a long forward pass.
CHANCE! The home side win a free kick just outside the penalty area as Almiron is bundles over in a wide position. Lodi sends a clever ball to the back post but Barrientos somehow flashed wide with his second attempt under little pressure from a static Pescara defence.
Pescara are already struggling to contain a pacy home attack that looks dangerous on both flanks. The visitors break with purpose and have appeals for a penalty kick turned down as Togni goes down following a tussle with Spolli. On reflection there appeared to be very little contact as the referee waves away protests from the Brazilian midfielder.
A long diagonal ball just evades Bergessio on the charge before Bochetti's cross lacks direction to miss two advancing players at the other end. This match has made a surprisingly open start as both teams chase the opening goal, which bodes well for an entertaining encounter.
Blasi concedes a cheap free kick for Pescara after bundling over Gomez around 30 yards from goal. The forward's low cross is parried by Perin but only out to Bergessio, who really should do better as his low volley flies well wide of the target from close range.
The visitors win a free kick of their own around 25 yards from goal and prove equally wasteful with an effort taken short. Togni's pass found Balzano in space but the full-back's scuffed shot crept out for a goal kick with little intent behind a weak effort.
Pescara goalkeeper Perin is at full stretch to stop Gomez making contact at the far post as the visitors are once again caught napping in defence. Bucchi's side have actually made a bright start in possession but must be wary of the defensive vulnerabilities that have cost them dear for much of the campaign.
Legrottaglie is caught late in a challenge with Sforzini as the experienced defender looks to be in some discomfort after taking a whack on the head. Catania may be forced into an early change as the centre-back stumbles to the touchline.
Pescara win the first corner kick as Balzano's cross is headed behind by Spolli. De Francesco elects to take but his curling delivery is easily cleared as the home side break swiftly. Gomez breaks into the final third and attempts to find Bergessio with a diagonal pass that is overhit and drifts out for a goal kick.
SUBSTITUTION: After attempting to rejoin play Legrottaglie is clearly unfit to continue and the home side decide on a change in defence. Midfielder Adrian Ricchiuti takes his place as Maran is forced to reshuffle his pack midway through the first period.
Pescara have grown in confidence and continue to enjoy a sustained spell of possession, with Bjarnason just failing to reach a floated cross from deep towards the far post from Balzano. Catania look a little flat and need to up the tempo to appease a slightly frustrated home crowd.
Bocchetti gifts Catnia a dangerous free kick as he manhandles Lodi in a wide area just inside the final third. Lodi takes himself and sends a fierce curling cross into the penalty area, but Perin watches it all the way and gets his positioning right to catch with relative ease.
Bergerssio recovers after a poor first touch to beat two Pescara defenders and find Gomez in space out wide. The forward drives into the penalty area and drives across goal, but Almiron is unable to make contact at the far post. Perin is then forced into action as Gomez has a low drive turned wide at the near post. That is more like it from the home side as they look to break the deadlock.
Catania have strong appeals for a penalty kick turned away as Gomez goes down under a sliding challenge from Zanon, but the referee turns away protests as the forward stays down inside the area. Pescara use the chance to break but Blasi's cross towards the far post is a disappointment and goes out with minimum fuss.
A superb curling cross from Izco finds a late run into the penalty area from Almiron, but the midfielder should really do better as his glancing header goes well wide of the far post from eight yards. Catania have definitely raised the tempo in the last five minutes but still look prone to errors in possession as De Francesco robs Lodi in a central position.
SHOT! Bergessio drifts wide and wins Catania's first corner kick as his cross is turned behind by Cosic. The home side decide to take short and pick out Barrientos, who has a powerful drive turned behind as Perin diverts the ball wide with a strong stop.
YELLOW CARD! Cosic concedes a free kick just outside the penalty area for an aggressive challenge on Bergessio and is also cautioned for his efforts. Lodi wins the battle to take the resulting set piece and swings a curling effort well over the top corner.
SAVES! A swift Catania counter goes begging as Bergessio aims a low drive straight to Perin from close range. The home side quickly recycle possession as Almiron has a forceful low drive turned past the near post by Perin, who is once again keeping Pescara in the match with a string of fine saves.
Bergessio is once again hauled to the ground by Zanon, with Capuano forced to act quickly soon after as his crucial interception stops Gomez meeting a clever floated cross from Lodi. This is desperate stuff from the Delfini as they cling on before the interval.
HALF-TIME Catania 0-0 Pescara
A frustrating 45 minutes draws to a close for Catania with the game still goalless. After a lacklustre start Maran's side totally dominant before the break but are yet to find their way through a surprisingly stubborn Pescara rearguard.
Pescara's band of inexperienced replacements have shown plenty of fight in the first period to just about stay level. Balzano has been full of energy to bomb forward from full-back, while goalkeeper Perin must have impressed potential suitors with a string of important saves.
The visitors have also employed no-nonsense tactics to shut down Bergessio this evening, consistently fouling the in-form striker outside the penalty area. Gomez has drifted wide into dangerous areas, while Lodi has consistently delivered fine crosses from a succession of set pieces.
Expect Catania to push forward and dictate the match after the break. Not only is it their final home match of the season but a victory tonight is essential to their hopes of beating Inter Milan to claim eighth place and a record points haul in Serie A.
Pescara have struggled for goals all season and will in all likelihood need to keep a clean sheet to earn a positive result tonight. Bucchi's side have definitely fought for their beleaguered boss this evening but still have a full 45 minutes left to try and break their horrible streak of 17 matches without victory.
Both sides are back out and just about ready to resume. A reminder that Catania could quite easily have had a penalty kick before the break as Gomez exchanges words with the referee once more just before the second half begins.
Pescara get the second half started but almost immediately concede possession as Bergessio chases down a lost cause to force a mistake from Capuano. The visitors eventually regroup and launch forward in search of Sforzini, but the forward is quickly closed out by two defenders.
Biagianti has a sight of goal as he's quickly released by a swift through ball from Lodi, but the midfielder's volley is too central and parried clear with relative ease by Perin.
Bocchetti is penalised as he drives forward and attempts to meet a cross at the far post, fouling Bellusci in an aerial tussle. Another long forward pass from Pescara is headed on by Sforzini, but his hopeful touch only knocks the ball towards a grateful Andujar.
GOAL! Catania 1-0 Pescara (Gomez)
After a frustrating night so far Catania are ahead thanks a swift and precise counter. Barrientos robbed possession in midfield and quickly found Bergessio. The forward burst clear out wide and played a clever pass towards Gomez unmarked at the far post. He applied a simple low finish from close range for his 12th goal of the season and Maran's side have a crucial advantage early in the second half.
Bergessio drives into the final third in search of a second for Catania but hesitates and eventually gets crowded out just outside the penalty area. At the other end Pescara launch their own attack as Bjarnason's deflected drive flies well wide from distance.
Another incisive Catania counter sees Bergessio picked out at the far post. The forward is under pressure from Capuano but still manages to aim a shot towards goal, with his looping effort just rising too high as it flies over the far post from eight yards.
YELLOW CARDS! Izco gifts the visitors a promising chance to level as he concedes a free kick around 20 yards from goal. Tongi's effort fails to clear the wall but does deflect behind for a corner kick. Meanwhile before the set piece can be taken Bellusic and Bocchetti are both cautioned after exchanging words in a heated debate inside the area.
Zanon risks giving the referee a problem as he crashes into a challenge with Gomez without the slightest intention of winning the ball. With the full-back on a caution the referee decides a free kick is punishment enough. From the set piece Lodi finds Spolli at the far post but the defender turns wide from a tight angle at full stretch.
OFF THE BAR! Catania have just come close to a unique second goal as a corner kick from Barrientos hits the crossbar before bouncing out and wide beyond a static Perin. The goalkeeper was caught completely by surprise at his near post and nearly embarrassed by a clever curling cross from the Argentine playmaker.
SUBSTITUTION: Catania make a straight swap to introduce fresh legs in central midfield. Almiron started strongly but has tired in the last 10 minutes and is replaced by Castro, who is working his way back from a persistent injury problem.
SUBSTITUTION: Bucchi quickly responds with a change of his own as Balzano is swapped for midfield veteran Zauri. The home side establish a sustained spell of possession when play resumes, with Pescara eventually conceding a free kick as Capuano is judged to have fouled Castro on the halfway line.
SAVE! Clever work from Barrientos creates danger in the final third as his short pass picks out Bergessio. The forward has time to pick his spot but can only produce a low, tame effort that is parried clear by Perin at his near post. Will Catania be made to pay for a succession of missed chances in the closing stages.
Barrientos and Castro combine just outside the penalty area but once again the forward's finish is disappointing as a curling drive goes well wide of the far post.
SUBSTITUTION: The visitors make a further late change as Andrea Mancini, the son of Manchester City boss Roberto is introduced in an advanced role. Meanwhile Catania are controlling possession as Castro has a calming influence in central midfield.
YELLOW CARD! Zauri picks up a caution less than 10 minutes after coming on as he slides into a late challenge on Barrientos without winning the ball. The former Lazio man protests his innocence fiercely but becomes the fourth Pescara player to be cautioned this evening.
SUBSTITUTION: Pescara make their final change of the night as Marco Iannascoli is pushed forward. The visitors have four minutes to score or they will be condemned to the worst top-flight record in Italy since 1950!
Lodi and Castro show composure in the closing stages to retain possession and exchange a string of precise passes in central midfield. Eventually they look to find Bergessio with a forward pass but Perin quickly reads the danger to come and collect inside the penalty area.
SUBSTITUTION: Iannascoli creates some space out wide for Pescara but again the visitor's final pass is a real disappointment. Catania keeepr Andujar has time to watch a looping cross and catch with authority. Just shy of two minutes added time as the home side make a change, with Barrientos replaced by Salifu. The Argentine midfielder is a firm favourite in Sicily and gets a warm round of applause from the home crowd.
FULL-TIME Catania 1-0 Pescara
In the end Catania just had enough to secure a predicted home victory by the slimmest of margins. Alejandro Gomez got the only goal just after the interval to help Maran's side climb above Inter Milan to seventh in Serie A.
That just about does it for Sports Mole's live Serie A text commentary tonight. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check in tomorrow for comprehensive coverage of the crucial clash between AC Milan and Roma at the San Siro. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
